10 New Cars You Should Avoid Buying

December 6, 2012

Dodge, Jeep and Nissan are just a few of the manufacturers that have made it on a list of new cars to stay away from, according to a recent article on Forbes.com.

Cars such as the Dodge Journey, Jeep Wrangler, and Nissan Versa Hatchback are included on a list of 10 cars that were picked due to such things as below-par handling and performance, low marks for quality and reliability, and low crash testing ratings. Forbes used sources such as Consumer Reports, J.D. Power and Associates, the Highway Loss Data Institute, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to compile the results.

Below are the 10 cars Forbes.com suggests you avoid, along with a few of the reasons why.

Vehicle to Avoid

Why?

Dodge Journey

Base powertrain lacking, low marks for reliability and satisfaction

Jeep Compass/Jeep Patriot

Below-par performance, marginal side-impact performance

Jeep Wrangler

Clumsy handling, uncomfortable interior, hard to get in and out of, marginal crash performances

Nissan Versa Hatchback

Below average quality, design/performance and reliability

Nissan Xterra

Uncomfortable ride, low marks for quality and design/performance

Smart ForTwo

Impractical, underpowered, requires premium-grade fuel

Suzuki Grand Vitara

Below-par performance and handling, low marks for quality and reliability

Below-par handling, higher than average ownership costs, below average reliability

My Recommendation for Car Shoppers

TrueCar No-Haggle, Edmunds Price Promise, and 1-800 Car Show are the quickest way to see the lowest car prices in your area. These sites show you no-haggle prices from dealers closest to you - and the deals are usually really good. This should be the first step you take when negotiating your car price. Follow this up with my checklist to make sure you squeeze out every last bit of savings.

California Residents - Important:

There is a new online car buying service called Roadster, available only to California residents, which I highly recommend you try - especially if you hate the stress of haggling with a car salesman. They provide an expert concierge who negotiates the price of the car and delivers it to your home with zero hassle - you never have to interact with a dealership. Here is my in-depth review of Roadster and why I recommend it.

- Gregg Fidan

About: Gregg Fidan

Gregg Fidan + is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.

If you have any tips or information that will help car buyers save money, please let me know so I can share it with everyone.Email Me Tips

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